Trying to conceive while on medication

I have had depression most part of my life. I am 31 now. I was on and off of medications (antidepressants and antipsychotics) throughout my illness. The main reason I went cold turkey on meds is because of the likelihood of infertility from this drugs. It has been 4 years I stopped treatment, there were moments when I struggled however I managed and pushed through. But recently it came back and I couldn't handle it and visited my pdoc and got meds again.

I have been trying to conceive for 10 months with no luck, I know my biological clock is ticking and I don't want to stop trying. Having a baby means a lot to me but I can't do without meds either. I plan to keep trying to conceive while I am on meds (I have been prescribed aripiprazole and escitalopram) and if I am blessed with pregnancy then I will stop the medicines.

Is there anyone who has experience regarding this or knows whether it will be even more difficult for me to get pregnant now under the drugs.

No idea but good luck.

I don't know the answers, and sometimes doctors might be biased toward not offering the best tips to patients with mental illnesses when it comes to wanting to start a family.

So, what I have found are the following articles:

Antipsychotics shown safe for pregnant women and their babies - The Globe and Mail

Antipsychotics in Pregnancy Risky for Newborns

Antipsychotics and Pregnancy: What to Know | SELF

Fertility and Antipsychotic Medications

Should I stay on antidepressants if I conceive? - Ovia Health

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...from-an-expert

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-l...s/art-20046420

https://www.webmd.com/baby/pregnancy...idepressants#1

I hope one of these articles offers you the answers you're seeking.

The best advice is to ask your psychiatrist as well as your primary care physician and OBGYN. You can get all three of their opinions, and let them know of your decision to not be on any psychotropic medications until you conceive and give birth and/or after you nurse.

You can also ask a strong support team like your spouse/partner, family, and friends to join you when you go to your doctors' offices for advice, so as to increase both accountability and fairness (reduce biases toward women with mental illnesses).

I am not planning to have children myself, but I didn't know that psych meds could affect fertility. I know that many women continue to take psych meds while pregnant. Some are considered safe for the baby.

I have been fortunate to have gotten pregnant 2/3 times while on some meds. But being that you have been trying for 10 months and your age I dont see anything wrong with seeing a fertility specialist.